End of an era in Kazakhstan after Nazarbayev announces his resignation

Kazakhstan's long serving president, Nursultan Nazarbayev on Tuesday announced his resignation as head of state in the Central Asian republic. Nazarbayev was the first, and so far the only president of Kazakhstan following its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. He steered the country through the difficult early days of independence, maintaining stability and ushering a new era of prosperity based on the country's energy resources.

In recent years Nazarbayev played a role of father figure in the councils of the institutions that succeeded the Soviet Union, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Union. This was partly due to his ability to forge very close relations to the new leaders of Russia, and significantly with president Putin, whilst at the same time securing Kazakhstan's sovereignity and independent foreign policy.

Nazarbayev will remain an influential person in the country. His role as "First president" is secured in the constitution, and he will remain Chairman of the National Security Council and of the ruling party. Nonethless, his resignation marks the end of an era for Kazakhstan and starts the process of transition to a new president, who is expected to be elected next year. In the interim, the chairman of the Kazakh Senate Kassym Jomaat Tokayev will serve as president of the country.

source: commonspace.eu

photo: Nursultan Nazarbayev, outgoing president of Kazakhstan (archive picture)

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Trump recommends 50% tariff on the European Union, starting 1st June

Trump recommends 50% tariff on the European Union, starting 1st June

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he is “recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union” after complaining that trade negotiations have stalled. The steep new import duties would start on 1st June, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The EU “has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump wrote. “Our discussions with them are going nowhere!”

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Trump recommends 50% tariff on the European Union, starting 1st June

Trump recommends 50% tariff on the European Union, starting 1st June

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he is “recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union” after complaining that trade negotiations have stalled. The steep new import duties would start on 1st June, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The EU “has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump wrote. “Our discussions with them are going nowhere!”